Life is never dull when you’re a CD reviewer. Hot on the heals of some great re-releases from the US’s Masterworks Broadway, comes our own Stage Door going one better with a previously unreleased studio cast album - Jeanne: The Musical.

A legendary heroine brought vibrantly to life in an ambitious musical; Jeanne is the dramatic story of one of history's most charismatic and courageous women, Joan of Arc. Singer song-writer Shirlie Roden composed Jeanne over a five month period in 1981. She continued to work on its development in the following years, working closely with music producer John Miller, theatre producer Bill Kenwright, and creating additional rewrites under the guidance of director Robin Phillips. The epic rock-opera premiered at Birmingham Repertory Theatre in September 1985, starring Siobhan McCarthy in the title role alongside Peter Straker and Malcolm Roberts. The production subsequently transferred to London’s Sadler’s Wells for a limited season in March 1986 directed by Bill Kenwright, starring Rebecca Storm as Jeanne.

'Jeanne' traces the story of the legendary fifteenth-century Joan of Arc, a young peasant girl destined for greatness, who claims to have been chosen by God to liberate her country and to crown the Dauphin as King of France. The dramatic raising of the siege of Orleans finds Jeanne fulfilling her vision, standing beside the Dauphin as he is crowned. After failing to retake Paris, Jeanne is later captured and taken to Rouen to stand trial where her destiny is sealed as she is condemned as a heretic and sentenced to be burned alive.

The previously unreleased original studio cast album, recorded during the show's development, now makes its debut on CD featuring composer Shirlie Roden as Jeanne alongside Richard Barnes, Peter Straker and Carl Wayne.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect with this release - apart from I knew it would be of quality, as we have now come to expect from Stage Door. I’d not heard of the show, nor the composer, which is unusual for me. So, on it went, and I sat back to be transported back to the time of Joan of Arc. And whilst it did that, it took me back also to the 1980’s. The sound of the album, and the make up of the songs, for me, was so reminiscent of a lot of concept albums of the time. The simple, yet effective melodies, the atmospheric harmony, and more than anything synthesisers that weren’t afraid to sound like synthesisers!

The piece is pretty enjoyable overall, and is produced in a great form here by Stage Door. The inlay made great reading, and was very informative. As ever, it’s a release of great archivable significance, and I really do implore Stage Door to keep these coming - assuming there’s anything left to release. It’s not one I would really return to again and again, but I did enjoy it a couple of times. There’s lots that is good here - both in terms of songs, and performances - although I would like to have heard Siobhan McCarthy and Rebecca Storm in the role of Jeanne. There’s nothing wrong with Shirlie Roden’s portrayal though, and her performance of ‘Bittersweet' was a highlight for me. I also loved ‘Silver Lining’, which also gives her co-star Richard Barnes, a chance to shine. It was also nice to hear Paul Field’s unmistakable voice on the recording too.

Certainly one for the collectors, and any fan of musical theatre, to give a listen to.

8

Ian Gude